FEEL FREE TO CONTRIBUTE YOUR COMMENTS AND OBSERVATIONS BELOW OR IN GREATER DETAIL AT THE RAPTORX FORUM FOR BLACK VULTURES 2016. YOU MAY ALSO WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN REAL-TIME VULTURE NEST CHAT
If you lose live video (which may occur during camera changes), click on the “play” arrow or refresh your screen by clicking on the circular arrow to the right of the URL line.
The Tri-State VultureCam is up and running for 2017. From the 2010 to the 2013 breeding seasons, 6 chicks hatched and another 3 orphans from other locations fledged for a total of 9 fledglings from this nest site. The nest site was not used by vultures during the 2014 and 2015 breeding seasons, and the adult male, tagged #17 in 2013, has not returned. However, an untagged pair took up residence in late February 2016 resulting in two successful fledgings. An untagged pair took up residence again in early February 2017.
One of our long-term research objectives is to determine whether the same pair tends to occupy the shed year after year or if occupancy changes, possibly resulting from some form of competition or due to disturbing the nest site by tagging adults and/or chicks. Another objective of this multi-generational study is to observe ongoing working relationships between family members from year to year.
As in previous years, we are recording selected video and audio from several cameras, 24/7 for research purposes. However, our computer only streams video to this website from one camera at a time. We try to display the most interesting vulture behavior at any given moment. Sometimes the screen goes black after switching cameras. If this happens, you may be able restore the video by refreshing the webpage (by clicking on the circular arrow near the top center of the webpage for Internet Explorer and Firefox browsers). Known technical difficulties preventing viewing will be reported at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/bkvu-test-3. Real-time chat regarding nesting activities is also available at this site. Day-to-day narrative and photos of nesting activity is available at RaptorX Forum for vultures, owls, and eagles
Viewing nesting behavior over the Internet, rather than observing the birds directly, avoids activity near the nest that could lead the adults to abandon it. PLEASE DO NOT TRY TO LOCATE THE NEST SITE OR APPROACH IT AS DOING SO COULD RESULT IN DEATH OF THE CHICKS AND THE END OF THIS RESEARCH.
Comments from viewers relating to observations of vulture behavior or suggestions for research are most welcome.
*** on my earlier comment May 8th, at 6:55pm, it is indeed Sara on the RIGHT.
Fayeee noted that adult delivered food 9:48am, 9:51am adult left behind the sink and both chicks followed.
At 10:09am female in front of sink, she flies onto the sink and off back to the chicks. Then, 10:25am adult leaves shed.
I noted that about 11:43am adult flies down (into the nest area) walks around, then hops back up, perhaps coaxing them back out, but like other times before, it didn’t work.
At 11:51am adult peaks in from entranceway and leaves a beautiful feather. Repeats, 12:35pm and 1:00pm adult enters and flies back and forth to cam area, in the rafters.
Fayeee sees the male at 2:25pm. 2:45pm female flies down to the floor, then out of the shed. The male follows her.
Fayeee sees the male fly in at 4:02pm and he goes behind the sink.
As roosting time approached there are no signs of them returning to either nest bowl this evening.
Today, early activities, wonderful morning they had.
Sara, left, adult,…
Today, May 8, Remy is 27 days old and Sara is 26 days old, don’t blink. They grow and learn more everyday, which is why I went back to add even one photo or bit of info.
Adding from yesterday:
5/07/2016
Adding from the Archives:
5/06
Sleepy time for them.
Adding from the Archives:
5/05/2016
Same spot, later in the day.
Adding from the Archives:
5/05/2016.
Sleeping in the old nest bowl area, from 2013.
Stevie #26 spent days and nights in that very spot.
He hatched there, in that very spot where the adult sleeps.
As adult enters, sometimes more than others, he/she can be recognized, but cam and lighting alter appearance of traits and markings.
Same goes for Remy and Sara.
Taken quite a few photos consecutively, although the facial features appear different, based on
Photos before and after, it can fairly safely be said whom is whom most times.
Photo below, Remy is on the left. Sara is on the right.
To assist identifying one from the other in different position or lighting.
Adding from the Archives:
5/1/2016
Adding from the Archives:
4/29
Sara, upward and mobile. Enjoys wing flaps but the pixels don’t allow a clear photo. A nice feather toy too.
Adding from the Archives:
4/28
Sara, shown in the chow line.
Adding from the Archives:
From 4/29
Remy, in the lead, front. Crook in beak. Although face isn’t appearing as dark
in this photo, Sara is behind, with the lighter face and hooked beak.
They are amazing!
Adding from the Archives:
Had been away and saving pertinent traits, behaviors and some endearments as well.
From 4/28/2016
Remy’s behavior mostly insistent on the front and center spot near adult.
Remy’s appearance, beak is more flat along the top but shows noticeable crook at the end.
Also, noting the deep V unibrow, very similar to the females deep v brow.
Nice evening, Sara wasn’t sleeping for a short while, nice footage.
Nice evening, but Sara wasn’t sleeping for a short while, nice footage.
Nice evening, but Sara wasn’t sleeping.
Wonderful development, everyday they gain strength and stamina, less feedings necessary. Sleep is an important time for them. Bonded and nurtured they are.
Willing to wager, that is Remy front and center.
From 5/4
Resting, late afternoon, early evening.
They were picking and playing with ornementals, cute to see.
Noting that Remy took a lot of interest in the corn cob after Sara started playing with it.
They are so curious and playful. Walking has greatly improved.
Note: yesterday afternoon both chicks left out front exit for a short time, both were off cam,
Noted by Fayeee.
Remy, chick #1 is facing out, more to the left. Sara, chick #2 is more to the right.
Two ways to tell one from the other. One is features and the other is behavior.
Remy has a longer pointed beak, Sara has a hooked beak. Also,
Remy still appears to dominate by having the head higher, for example. Subtle little things,
But after watching them long enough, a pattern developed.
So, there morning begins. They were fed at about 6:30am and the female has been active.
Flew atop the sink, left cam view a few times already.
Returns to her chicks.
Unusual behavior here, there were a few minutes she had her head down and wings up. Couldn’t see if her beak was open and/or if any hissing occurred. But, both chick woke up at that time.
Nice to see them, their exploring takes them around inside the shed. They sleep in familiar places.
Resting well and good.
Today, May 2, Remy is 21 days old and Sara is 20 days old.
Many changes continue to come there way!